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PIA News Service - Friday, January 4, 2013

PAO lawyers receive raise in monthly honorarium

By Junesther Jean S. Iway and Eldie N. David

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 4 (PIA) – Lawyers from the
Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) got a post-Christmas treat as the Sangguniang
Panlungsod has approved the increase in their monthly honorarium from the City
government of Butuan.

The monthly honorarium of PAO lawyers was
increased from P2,500 to P4,000.

Fortun, who is also a lawyer, said the increase
in honorarium was justified as PAO lawyers absorb much of the cases of people
who cannot afford to hire a private-practicing lawyer. The pay increase is a
gesture of gratitude on the part of the of the city government for PAO lawyers.
(Vice Mayor’s Office/LGU-Butuan/PIA-Caraga)

Top 10 2012 news highlights featured in Pagtuki

CEBU, Jan. 4 (PIA) - The December 30 episode of
“Pagtuki,” the official radio program of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI),
wraps up the top ten news makers of 2012―from big political names, current
events to weather forecast, among others.

The suspension of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia
tops the list. Garcia asked the Court of Appeals to stop the suspension order
against her that stemmed from an administrative case in 2010.

Garcia said that police could only stop her if
they will physically drag her out from her office. The Cebu police, however,
said they would not physically remove Garcia from her office unless ordered.

Garcia still continues to “hole up” in her
office from December until now.

Second is the canonization of Pedro Calungsod.
Filipinos followed the journey to sainthood of Blessed Pedro Calungsod, who
officially became a saint last Oct. 20 in a ceremony officiated by Pope
Benedict XVI in Vatican, Rome. Saint Pedro Calungsod is a Visayan teenage
Catholic missionary who died a martyr in Guam.

Third, super typhoon Pablo caused havoc in areas
in Mindanao. Based on the records of National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (NDRRMC), typhoon Pablo has destroyed P36.95 billion worth
of infrastructure, agricultural products and private properties. The death toll
from the typhoon stayed at 1, 067 while 834 persons are still missing.

Thousands of people remain homeless after Pablo
brought flash floods that wiped out the affected areas.

In Cebu City, classes and work were suspended on
Dec. 4 and 5 in all school levels and government offices. The mayor also held a
meeting with the Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Council.

The earthquake and the false tsunami alert in Cebu
last February 2 ranks fourth. People ran to the streets, cars were abandoned,
and traffic was jammed after reports of rising seawater in the coastal areas of
Cebu City.

The panic was due to a tsunami scare brought
about by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit Cebu and Negros islands.

The passage of the Reproductive Health Bill
places fifth. The House of Representatives approved the bill last December,
which had been certified as “urgent” by President Benigno "Noynoy"
Aquino Jr.

The church continues its futile campaign against
the move since it has now been made in a law.

On sixth spot is the death of then Department of
Local and Interior Government Secretary Jesse Robredo. His lifeless body was
recovered at the crash site off the coast of Masbate City last Aug. 18.

Pilot Captain Jessup Bahinting and co-pilot,
Nepalese flight student Kshitiz Chand, were also confirmed dead. From August 21
until his interment, all government buildings and installations around the
country lowered the national flag to half-staff in compliance with the
President’s proclamation declaring the national days of mourning for Robredo.

Seventh on the list is the implementation of the
controversial Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 even after its provisions were
questioned before the Supreme Court last October. But the High Tribunal issued
a temporary restraining order (TRO), which lasts for 120 days, thus oral
arguments on the case will be held on Jan. 15.

On May 29, 2012, Corona was found guilty of
Article II of the Articles of Impeachment filed against him pertaining to his
failure to disclose to the public his statement of assets, liabilities and net
worth.

Corona was appointed Chief Justice on May 12,
2010. He was the most senior Supreme Court justice among the four nominees from
the Judicial and Bar Council.

Second to the last is the feeding of whale
sharks in Oslob. The practice was questioned after Dr. Lemnuel Aragones, a
marine mammal expert, said that feeding whale sharks is an “irresponsible use
of natural resources, which could easily be mismanaged and abused.”

Oslob officials still continue to raise
awareness and education about marine life among its locals.

Completing the list is the formation of Mega
Cebu. Cebu’s private sector is determined to lead in pushing for the
realization of the Mega Cebu project, a move to create a 30-year master plan
that will put Cebu at par with key metropolitan destinations in the world.

The Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board
(MCDCB) is the proponent of the Mega Cebu master plan led by the Cebu
Provincial Government, RAFI, and six large private sector groups like Cebu
Business Club (CBC), Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) and Mandaue
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), among others.

"Pagtuki” is aired over dyLA every Saturday
at 10-11 a.m. The program, which is one of the Knowledge Sharing & Advocacy
capabilities of RAFI, tackles timely and relevant issues affecting the Cebuano
community.

For more information about RAFI’s radio program,
please contact Fatrick Tabada at 418-7234 loc. 542, or visit www.rafi.org.ph or
www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph. (RAFI/PIA-Caraga)

More than 500 Indigenous People (IP) from
barangays Canaway, Hinimbangan, Bangayan, and Mahayahay, all of Kitcharao,
Agusan del Norte and Brgy Ombong, Alegria, Surigao del Norte, benefited from
the said gift-giving activity.

Last December 26, 2012, POINTY Inc also
conducted a simultaneous gift-giving activity in Regions 10 and 13. The
activity was covered by both local and national media outlets and was able to
reach out to different organizations that later offered to give support for the
advocacy. Upon receipt of these supports, POINTY Inc. in Kitcharao, Agusan del
Norte scheduled the second round of the gift-giving activity for the IPs.

Hon Jenry Montante, Municipal Mayor of
Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte extended his deepest gratitude to the people behind
the successful gift-giving activity to the IPs in his municipality and even
approved the budget for the expansion of the youth leaders organization within
his municipality so that they will be able to carry on the peace advocacy that
the government is promoting.

The Pointy Inc. is set to expand its
organization this year and for the following years to come through series of
municipal youth leadership seminars that will be conducted by the LGUs, LGAs,
PNP, and the AFP in Northern Mindanao. (4CMOBn, 4ID, PA)

Assembly gathers businesswomen

CEBU CITY, Jan. 4 (PIA) - "Starting small
is not a hindrance to improve the business if you are prepared to accept help
from others."

This was the statement made by Virgilia A.
Bonghanoy, Most Outstanding Client of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.
Micro-finance (RAFI Micro-finance) Client Awards 2012, said in her
inspirational speech during the 9th General Assembly held recently at the Mandaue
City Cultural and Sports Complex, this city.

Bonghanoy said that her family’s prayers is the
most important thing that helped her through in growing her business. She
thanked RAFI Micro-finance for the financial opportunities and support for her to
expand her business. She received Php 25,000 and a plaque.

During the assembly, client nanays were
recognized for the Most Outstanding Chairwoman, Most Outstanding Group
Secretary, Best Group, and Best Center Meeting Place awards. The winners of the
first two awards mentioned were Espelita Sordilla and Rosario Bacaling,
respectively. Solid Rock won the last two awards.

There were also special awards given such as
Most Conscientious Saver, Most Improved Client, Most Improved Chairwoman, Most
Improved Center Meeting Place, and an award to the client who has been
dedicating herself in preserving a tradition. The winners, respectively, were
Emma Atis, Guillerma Geronimo, Ma. Theresa Egos, Solid Rock, and Josefina
Magallones.

Donato Busa, general manager of Busa Printers;
Melanie Ng, vice president of Ng Khai Development Corp.; and Glenn Anthony
Soco, president of GA Satellite Ventures, imparted business experiences and
insights to the participants.

“If you dream, dream big and work on it,” Soco
urged.

There was
also a trade fair in front of the gymnasium, where various products―from local
delicacies, seafood, to garments―from all over Cebu Province were displayed.

A medical mission, in collaboration with the
Eduardo Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC), was held in the afternoon, benefitting
around 600 people. Medical services included free adult consultations and
cervical screening. Vitamins and sample medications were also given.

The Mantawi Integrated Dance Company and Cebu
Gays Diva, performed dance numbers and comical skits.

Micro-finance is a program under the
Micro-finance & Entrepreneurship focus area of RAFI, providing financial
resources and know-how to women micro-entrepreneurs to nurture financial
independence and entrepreneurship. Other focus areas of RAFI are Integrated
Development, Culture & Heritage, Leadership & Citizenship, and
Education.

For more information on RAFI Micro-finance,
please contact 418-7234 loc. 707 and look for Val Gatchalian, or visit
www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph. (RAFI/PIA-Caraga)

Feasibility Study on Solar Energy System for
Butuan to be undertaken

By Junesther Jean S. Iway

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 4 (PIA) – The Belgian firm
Enfinity, a developer of renewable energy, through its local firm Enfinity
Philippines Renewable Resources Inc. (EPRRI) will enter into a memorandum of
agreement (MOA) with the Butuan City Government for the creation of a
feasibility study in putting up of a solar energy system project in this city.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod has seen the need to
commit to such noteworthy project to bring about effective solutions to
different issues of pollution particularly in Butuan City as well as ensure
reliable supply of electricity at affordable rates basically to promote
holistic development with the passage of a resolution of the said purpose.

As stated in the resolution, it is in pursuance
of Republic Act 9513, a declared policy of the government to develop and
utilize renewable energy sources and promote its efficient and cost-effective
commercial applications by providing fiscal and non-fiscal incentives. This is
where solar energy system comes.

Vice Mayor Law Fortun said the use of solar
energy is timely as it is one of the best options available.

An energy coming from nature is one of the
cleanest, harmless and cheapest ways to have a cleaner and safer environment.
Knowing its financial benefits and constructive and helpful impact on every
individual and on the environment as a whole, it is safe to say that having a
solar energy system means having a more productive and stronger economy, Fortun
said. (Vice Mayor’s Office/LGU-Butuan/PIA-Caraga)